Let's have a look to modal verbs
Modal verbs
Situation | Modal Verb | Example |
requests (formal) | may | May I sit down? |
requests (informal) | can | Can I sit down? |
requests (polite) | could | Could I sit down? |
requests (polite) | would | Would you mind if I sit down? |
permission (formal) | may | You may sit down. |
permission (informal) | can | You can sit down. |
obligation (full) | must | You must tell the police the truth. |
obligation (partial) | should | You should tell your friends the truth. |
obligation (partial) (less common) | ought to | You ought to tell your friends the truth. |
logical conclusions (stronger than "should") | must | He left an hour ago, so he must be there already. |
logical conclusions (weaker than "must") | should | He left half an hour ago, I believe he should be there already. |
possibility (general) | can | It can rain sometimes. |
possibility (weaker than "may" and "might") | could | It could rain, but it is not very common in this part of the country. |
possibility (weaker than "may") | might | It's not very cloudy yet, but it might rain. |
possibility (stronger than "might") | may | It's starting to get cloudy – it may rain soon. |
futureactions/states/intentions | will | Look at the sky! It will rain soon. |
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